You can read our Arts Council Report on our Jazz Launch Pad 2021 to 2023 programme here. See also our infographic, testimonials and links to video of the girls from the two year Arts Council National Lottery funded programme.
Testimonials for the Jazz Launch Pad 2021 to 2023 Arts Council funded programme
I have given a few workshops for the GPJP, and witnessed first hand the impact of invaluable development space that it affords young female musicians in building their confidence both as performers and as active members of the musical process at all stages. They have access to a wide variety of approaches to jazz and improvisation and a chance to learn from a similar diversity of mentors… the work that Maddy has done with this project occupies a unique space in youth music education and has my fullest support and recommendation.
Shirley Smart, cellist and Professor of Musicianship and Improvisation at the Royal College of Music.
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The opportunities Maddy creates are inspirational to young musicians.
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Girl plays Jazz gave me a whole new perspective on music. It helped me realise that jazz can be enjoyed by everyone and that all instruments and people are capable of producing jazz music.
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This is a wonderful initiative which brings girls together in a safe and fun environment, allows them to socialise with other like-minded girls whom they might not otherwise bump into in their closed worlds.
Inclusive teaching, expanding the musical horizons with different instruments and real performing musician teachers.
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My daughter is an excellent drummer. When she goes to workshops as she does sometimes at Ronnie Scott’s or The Guildhall, nearly all the other musicians are boys.
Jazz has changed hugely, but it is still mainly dominated by men. The boys are generally really nice but they also tend to be loud, confident and boisterous. This is difficult for my daughter and she is often squashed by the other drummers even though she is often a lot better.
GPJ has given her a safe, nurturing and calmer environment in the last two years to grow as a musician. She would not have been able to do this without the support of Maddy and the GPJ workshops . Thank you.
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Our daughter has been delighted to have been part of GPJP since the beginning. She has had some amazing teachers and been exposed to such a wide variety of jazz music styles. She was so proud to have played at Ronnie Scott’s, something she will remember for the rest of her life. The Arts Council funding has been invaluable and this let’s the next group of young musicians get to experience and cherish such wonderful moments and memories too.
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A very friendly, inclusive and creative environment.
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This was our first time and we were really impressed by the amount of work that went into the event without it ever feeling stressful or anything other than relaxed. We will definitely be back. Fun, relaxed, informative as well as great music production at the end.
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The girls clearly really enjoyed the session yesterday and it was just amazing that by the end of two hours they were all playing samba percussion like a proper Carnival band. Well done GPJ!
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We only discovered Girls Play Jazz quite recently and wished we’d known about it before. My daughter’s been playing the clarinet for 3 years but only ever learnt classical pieces so it’s been joyful watching her learn to play more freely and have more fun as well as learning about the concept of jazz in general. It’s given her huge confidence in experimenting more with the instrument and informed her overall knowledge and appreciation of music. Long may it continue.
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Great effort and a really enjoyable experience for the parents. Our daughter came away enthused and more confident.
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We only discovered Girls Play Jazz quite recently and wished we’d known about it before. My daughter’s been playing the clarinet for 3 years but only ever learnt classical pieces so it’s been joyful watching her learn to play more freely and have more fun as well as learning about the concept of jazz in general. It’s given her huge confidence in experimenting more with the instrument and informed her overall knowledge and appreciation of music. Long may it continue.
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Girl Plays Jazz manages to provide an accessible entry to jazz for young musicians, whilst still providing them with a rich and complex musical experience. A delicate balance. Girl Plays Jazz provides a vision of musical opportunities that lie ahead, taking jazz music from an abstract idea to a tangible reality.
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Girl Plays Jazz Project 